For training people and educating farmers as Water warriors, we have built up water soldier’s team, and developed Thadroopi Kaadu (Replica of Forest), the agricultural training and research center as well. It was my long term goal. I am the follower of Jamshedji Tata. In my five years old Holavanahalli farm anyone can verify, test, witness and find the truths stated below.

Indian agriculture has a history of ten thousand years. In B.C. 6000 year, there were evidences of using equipment related to stone-age like stone hook and there were evidences of growing mono-cot millets. The invention of the plough has become the reason for the revolution in the agricultural sector. Changes happened in Indian agriculture can be recognized in the following three stages.

1. 2000 years old Vedic Ancient Agriculture.
2. 18th-century Middle Age Agriculture.
3. Modern Agriculture from the last 200 years.

The ancient Indian farming methods had developed by the influence of five earthly senses (Panchamahabhutas) Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Sky. Indian origin indigenous cow-based farming was mainly practiced. In Kautilya's Economics, farming, animal husbandry, natural resources, Gomala land, pasture, weight and measurement were clearly mentioned. Agriculture practices were well-disciplined in those days. In 1905, agriculture specialist Albert Howard had visited India to study Indian agriculture and had given the following opinions. "Indian agriculture is the replica of dense forest, farmers activities were based on principles of nature. Live stocks were not only used for milk and milk products, but also meat and cultivating land. Their urine, dung, footprints play a vital role in the growth of farmland. Dicots and monocots were grown in blend, adding crops residue to land again, green leaves manure, and ploughing against the slope were the common practices. Families were enjoying their food in their own farms itself and involved in scattering rice and other sweet items in farmland to invite birds as a result enemy insects were controlled naturally by birds. To control nematodes, marigolds, Niger seeds, sesame were grown. Trees planted alongside of the bunds etc. Farming methods were based on the basis of scientific farming", in this way Howard appreciated Indian Agriculture.

What is the root cause of current problems? What went wrong? Introduction of the western education system, brain drain, not having adequate basic knowledge and understanding of agriculture. Children learned in the medium of English, implemented the green revolution techniques hope to become self-sufficient in food, redemption in agriculture, as generations started to abandon agriculture. Only wheat, mask corn, paddy have become perennial crops. This resulted in the migration of agriculture labors, uncertain rains, excess seeds, manure, water to enhance food production rate, drilled lot many wells and drained groundwater, the farmers became bankrupt and committed suicide too. Half of the population migrated towards the city. Multinational companies exploited farmers in the name of green revolution and genetically modified seeds. India started its own breeding centers and introduced high yielding paddy varieties, artificial chemical fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, credit facilities, advanced technology have become integral parts of the green revolution. Eventually native skills deteriorated and disappeared.

Green revolution techniques were not the miracle that occurred in a day. Technology developed to modify the seeds genetically. Thus, biological activities of plants are provoked in a way to yield more than it’s natural capacity. Farmers were shocked by unnatural yield which they never imagined. Genetic modification of plants made it to relay on excess water, chemical fertilizers, growth promoters etc. Eventually, the plant body loosened it’s resistant power and enemy insects have been invited naturally. It became a regular practice for farmers to purchase seeds every season.

As a result of the green revolution, food production rate has drastically increased, burden of drought and famine were reduced. Obviously, that fed a few crore of people who were suffering from hunger. But in a country like India food is celebrated as food culture rather than just as an eatable thing. Earlier farmers were growing their crops to compensate for both food and fodder. When wheat became the major crop then the source of other food materials destroyed. In reality, wheat is not an essential food for human health. Did we really achieve food security?

This created the difference between rich and poor further destroying social system. In the name of 'Garibihatavo', 'Garibiutavo' took place. As farmer's debt increased, they lost their land which was like their heart and soul, and then migration became a usual practice for them. Cities failed to create employment, accommodation for this large number of migrants grown unscientifically. On other hand, farmer’s product price was not justifiable. Farmers suffered, became bankrupt, these factors strongly influenced farmers to depend on the government at every stage. Business relationships have developed between countries.

As farmers started mono crops biodiversity was disturbed. Number of friendly insects has drastically decreased, snakes, frogs, rats, ants, spiders, wild chickens, ducks, gossip birds, groove birds suffered and ecosystem was disturbed. After a decade since 1990, yield didn't increase though; all these high-cost external inputs were provided. All Panchamahabhutas got polluted. All these consequences were not only because of the Green revolution but also by the Milk revolution, the Yellow revolution, Blue revolution, Silver revolution, the Red revolution, and the Textile revolution.

Despite of all these growths we need food security. The environment has to be protected. If so, then how should be the Indian agriculture? India has 15% of world’s population, 2% of land, 1% of the total world's rainfall we receive. It is necessary to follow the proper agriculture practices and to adopt Integrated farming. We need to improve all the unwanted steps taken in comprehensive farming, natural farming, sustainable-farming, zero budget farming etc. We should avoid the ill effects of green revolution on human health. For sustainable agriculture system, one should prefer cow-based agriculture, dry land farming, skill of using locally available natural resources, maintaining the soil moisture and fertility of surrounding areas. Controlling pests, weeds, microbes for enhancing food production rate, model farms should to be ready.

To keep environment in a balanced state, we have to grow variety of crops, maintain diversity of crops, crop rotation, grow fruits and vegetables, agro-forestry and local variety of trees, replica of forest has to be implemented. Domestic animals like goats, buffaloes, cows, rabbits, pigs, dairy farming, animal husbandry, apiculture, vermi-composting, bio-digester are to be developed. Use of chemical fertilizers has to be banned completely. Integrated farming should be encouraged. In addition, use of cow urine and human urine as fertilizers to be practiced for enhancing soil health and fertility. To conserve water we implement Patta bunding, compartment bunding, dry land farming, lake-based agriculture, bore well recharging, open well recharging, construction of earthen dams, water conservation methods, making bunds to stop soil erosion, increase fertility of land as well the yield. Ploughing should be reduced, let foliage cover the land surface. Include trees can help in green leaves fertilizer like sunhamp, Chogate, Subabul, Glirisidia, Lucerne and green cover on land by Soya, Velvet beans, Cow pea, Green gram, Block gram, Horse gram, Stylojonthas. This revolution should not limit only to farms but also in the minds of farmers. The mind-set of the people has to change and all have to join their hands in making this mission great success.

In future all agricultural programs are conducted giving more importance to farmers and small land holding farmers as well. Special technology should be provided to dry-land farming. State and central government together should involve and solve problems shortage of labors, fluctuating market rates. For biological pesticide use cow urine, Neem, Pong, Fish oil, Egg, Lemon and plant genetic pesticide. We can also use Adasaale, Kalnaaru, Baje, Garlic, Tobacco, Basil leaves, Lucky, Golagolake, paper flower, castor, green chilli, Ekke, Cup flower, Parthenium waste, dog ground nut, Uttaraane, soar butter milk etc.

Then how this has to be implemented? From where it has to be started? Why does the Organic production cost more? How to trust? Do we need any ‘Certification’?

If we want to find answer to all these problems, we can find a way by 2020, and up to 2040 there will be hardly any problem. Certification is required for organic products. Customers can examine and experience the products by themselves. Fruits should not be spoiled in a short period. Fruits should have natural flavor and fresh. They must be in good condition for months together, color and shape should not be changed, should have more seeds and Fruits should be ripened naturally. For further more confirmation when visited, the farm land should be like compost pit and can see animal-based agriculture. Earth should be like a big container of water. Our feet have to sink into soil; half eaten fruits by birds should be seen. Birds should have their nests in the trees, there should be ant hills, rat holes, snakes, frogs, spiders should be found. Enough foliage, grasses, termites, wild chickens, parrots, lizards should be seen on land.

All this certify their market feasibility, variety of grains, food items, milk and milk products, fruits, green vegetables, creepers, short and long-term food items. “How an ideal garden should be! Every person should feel guilty for not involving in tree plantation and sowing varieties of seeds. In this context, farm fair, agricultural exhibition, harvesting fair should confirm customers so we can get good price for our products. We should involve in such a way that customer should reach us. If we remember that customers are our kings, work is worship, respect to our duties and responsibilities only then Mother India’s children will have prosperous future. Nothing is permanent except the change that is nature’s law. People who expect change please attend the training sessions, get advises, instructions, give suggestions, help in all way or any way to achieve the mission to make India water literate. Thanks, in the name of Mother Earth.

Ayyappa Masagi, Indian Water Gandhi